Southwest Airlines Community

  It is with great sadness I share with you that our President Emeritus and Friend, Colleen Barrett—known as the Heart of Southwest Airlines—has passed away at the age of 79. Colleen dedicated herself to putting Employees first and encouraging Positively Outrageous Customer Service, which became the very signature of Southwest Airlines. Colleen was responsible for instilling The Golden Rule among the Employees of Southwest, and she is the architect of our Company’s famous corporate Culture. Additional information about her impact on the world can be found through the Colleen C. Barrett Institute for Cultural Excellence & Customer Service, and a special site, honoringcolleen.com, honors the woman who gave us our Heart.   We will be sharing additional videos and heartfelt tributes shortly and planning a unique celebration of Colleen’s extraordinary life for our Southwest Family. More details will be shared soon. During this difficult time, our thoughts are with Colleen’s family and our Southwest Family.   ... View more

Southwest Airlines has a long history of supporting our military, with national partnerships with military-focused organizations; our Warrior Hire program, a military pathway to help bridge the gap from the military to a career at Southwest; and as the official airline of the Honor Flight Network. Recently, we had an opportunity to show our Heart as two Southwest Families said goodbye to loved ones who lost their lives in a tragic Marine Corps helicopter crash in early February.   Southwest Airlines Ramp Agents deliver a final salute to USMC Sgt. Alec Langen as he returns home to Phoenix for the final time on Feb. 23, 2024.Phoenix Inflight Employees Steve and Caryn Langen lost their son, 23-year-old Sgt. Alec Langen, and Phoenix Flight Attendant Bill Dougherty and Dallas Tech Ops Supervisor Carl Klonowski lost their nephew, 27-year-old USMC Capt. Benjamin Moulton. Sgt. Langen and Capt. Moulton, along with three other Marines, were proud members of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, known as the “Flying Tigers.” They were returning to their base near San Diego when the helicopter accident occurred.   As the families of the fallen put plans in place to say goodbye to their loved ones, the People of Southwest extended their Hearts to bring a sense of comfort and support during their time of grief. I recently had a chance to visit with the Families, and with their blessing, I want to share a bit more about these two brave young men, their service and sacrifice to our country, and their love for Southwest.   Alec’s parents, Steve and Caryn, told me that all he wanted to do was follow in his dad’s footsteps and be a Crew Chief on the CH-53E Super Stallion transport helicopter. There was nothing that was going to stop him from achieving that dream. They even said that on his 17 th birthday, Alec arranged for a Marine recruiter to visit his family’s home to help win his parents over. It worked—and within days, Alec was signed up to join the Marine Corps as part of a delayed entry program.   Alec Langen (middle) at Southwest Summer Camp in 2016   Alec and his wife, Casey   Alec and his father, Steve, in front of a Marine helicopter   Alec waving to the camera while inflightThe Langen’s said Alec loved what he did and was so proud of his service. And while he didn’t know how long he would serve; he was already looking at the future and dreaming of becoming a Mechanic for Southwest.   Steve and Caryn told me how proud Alec was to grow up within the Southwest Family. They would bring him to volunteer events, letting him participate in our “bring your child to work” days, and he attended Southwest Summer Camp in 2016. He was on the runway to join Southwest, and we were looking forward to having him as a member of our Team.    Steve and Caryn have been part of the Southwest family for nearly 29 years and have seen their fair share of emotional flights, happy and sad reunions, and even the return of fallen heroes. They never expected that they would be the ones on the ramp as their own son returned home for the final time.   Shortly after Alec returned home, the family hosted a funeral service inside the Phoenix hangar, where Alec had hoped to work eventually. Guests wore their favorite western wear, because Alec’s dad shared that his son once said, “no one will wear a suit to my funeral.”    With the pomp and circumstance of a military funeral, there was no dry eye in the hangar. Shortly after a lone bagpiper played TAPS, the Marines performed a fly-by with the same type of helicopter Alec was in when he lost his life. It was a fitting tribute to a young man who gave his life for our country.   Alec Langen in uniform a Marine Honor Guard performs flag folding ceremony at Alec’s funeral a Marine CH-53E Super Stallion performs a fly by at the conclusion of Alec’s funeralThe Langen’s shared that what kept them going was the unbelievable turnout and support from Cohearts across the Company— many they had never met—who were involved in honoring Alec. I’m so proud of what so many of you did to honor the family, support them, and make this happen.  The Langen’s wanted to share their story to say “thank you” to everyone who has supported them during this time.         This past Sunday, the families of Capt. Moulton came together in Boise, near his hometown of Emmett, Idaho, to say their final goodbyes. As the nephew of two Southwest Employees, Ben, as he was known to family and friends, had the opportunity to be part of various recruiting events and other Southwest functions. I’m told his uncle, Carl, shared that they were together just a few days before the crash as part of a mechanic recruiting event. He says he will cherish his time with Ben for the rest of his life.   More than 60 Marines from their base were able to attend Capt. Moulton’s funeral thanks to the quick work of the Southwest Charters Team working in tandem with Raider Air, a part of the nonprofit organization Brothers in Arms Foundation. Brothers In Arms Foundation. Raider Air provides logistical support to the families of service members facing challenging circumstances.    USMC Capt. Benjamin Moulton   the patch for Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 remembering the Crew lost in the crash   More than 60 Marines attended Capt. Moulton’s funeral thanks to a special charter flight onboard Freedom One   Marines deliver a flag to the family of Capt. Moulton at the end of funeral service on March 3, 2024. Photos courtesy of the Moulton Family and Raider Air. If you’d like to learn more or donate, please visit the Wingman Foundation and the Brothers in Arms Foundation, as they support the loved ones of fallen heroes.   As we say goodbye to these five Marines, please know how much these families feel your love and support during this most trying time. I’m so proud of the Southwest Hearts on display as our People stepped up to support them.    ... View more

From the very beginning in 1971, Southwest Airlines has been celebrated for the way we care for our People, Customers, and communities. And what better way to be recognized for our legendary Hospitality than by being named to the 2024 FORTUNE World’s Most Admired Companies™ list!   To earn a spot on this acclaimed list, Southwest was measured on nine key attributes, from the soundness of our financial position to our quality of products and services to our community responsibility. FORTUNE collaborated with partner Korn Ferry to survey 15,000 senior executives, outside directors, and industry analysts to identify the companies that enjoy the strongest reputations within their industries and across industries.   Southwest is a unique Company unlike any other. It’s a Company that dared to believe in thinking differently and in hiring the best People—and trusting that they, devoted to the cause, can do anything. We’re honored to be ranked #39 and thankful to our Employees, who make recognition like this possible.     From Fortune, ©2024 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license. Fortune is a registered trademark and Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies™ is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited and are used under license. Fortune and Fortune Media IP Limited are not affiliated with, and do not endorse the products or services of Southwest Airlines.   ... View more

Today, April 28, 2023, is the fourth anniversary of our first interisland flight within Hawaii. As we look forward to our fifth year of service, we want to take a moment to say mahalo to the people in Hawaii who have welcomed us with warm aloha. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve the Islands, and as a symbol of thanks, we dedicate a high-flying tribute: Imua One.     Imua is a rallying cry in the Hawaiian language that translates to an urging forward, and it underscores a key value at Southwest—Teamwork. And it’s fitting that our aircraft dedicated to our Employees and the Island communities is called Imua One, as this aircraft is a symbol of the partnership between the Hawaiian Islands and Southwest.   Osaki Creative Group, an Oahu-based agency, designed Imua One with the guidance of a Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner. Its distinctive design features eight elements that represent concepts in Hawaiian culture that also align with Southwest values. The aircraft design features stars for each of the five airports in Hawaii Southwest serves: Honolulu, Lihue (Kauai), Kahului (Maui), Kona (Island of Hawaii), and Hilo (Island of Hawaii); six paddlers in an outrigger bring to life the concept of Imua; and six turtles in two groups of three to represent harmony and balance. A lei near the nose of the aircraft honors the unique Islands through their official flowers. And, in keeping with the traditional and distinctive colors in our Southwest Heart livery, including bold blue, warm red, and sunrise yellow, a gradient transition from blue to yellow represents the evolution from night to day and honors the Hawaiian history of journeying the Pacific using wind, and following the guidance of the sun, stars, and moon to navigate.   The eight central visual elements of the Imua One livery hold significance in Hawaii and at Southwest: Ohana (Family):          Root in relationships.  Honu (Turtle):            Move with perseverance.  Aina (Land):                Find common ground.  Ama (Support):          Connect to strengthen and balance.  Hoku (Star):                Guide with purpose.  Kai (Ocean):               Harness good energy.  Lokahi (Unity):           Succeed with Teamwork.  Imua (Forward):         Go forward with strength, courage, and strong spirit.    Southwest Employees who live and work in Hawaii share deeper, personal meanings behind the visual elements of the aircraft in a video series called “Honoring the Heart of Hawaii.”   Honoring the Heart of Hawaii: Imua includes Customer Service Agent in Honolulu Sharon and Maui Station Leader Del, as they share about Imua, a rallying cry in the Hawaiian language that translates to an urging forward and underscores a key value at Southwest—Teamwork. Honoring the Heart of Hawaii: Kai spotlights Keanu, a Southwest Airlines Ramp Agent in Kona (Island of Hawaii), as he shares his connection to the ocean as a source of energy, sustenance, and resources. Honoring the Heart of Hawaii: Lokahi weaves together the Hawaiian word and cultural tenet Lokahi, or unity, with Southwest values and the Golden Rule and features Jerome, a Customer Service Supervisor in Lihue (Kauai). Honoring the Heart of Hawaii: Hoku shines a light on First Officer Kanani and how people in her life have guided her with purpose as she achieves her goals. Honoring the Heart of Hawaii: Ama features Kawailani, an Administrative Coordinator at HNL. Aunty Kawai, as she is affectionately known, speaks to how we connect to others for strength and balance.    Honoring the Heart of Hawaii: Aina highlights Aina, or land, a powerful tenet of Hawaiian Culture. As HNL Customer Service Agent John shares, each person has a duty to care for the land and steward natural resources. Honoring the Heart of Hawaii: Honu focuses on endurance, embodied in Hawaiian Culture through Honu, or turtles. Kaulana, an Assistant Station Manager in OGG, shares his own journey of endurance. Honoring the Heart of Hawaii: Ohana features Shane, a Ramp Agent in OGG who speaks to Ohana, or family, as a foundation of Culture in Hawaii that’s deeply rooted in homes and community. We are grateful for the warm welcome we have received from the people of Hawaii over the past four years and look forward to moving together toward an ever-brighter future with strength, courage, and strong spirit. So, together…Imua!                 ... View more

It’s an honor to share that Southwest Airlines was once again named to the 2023 FORTUNE® World’s Most Admired Companies™ list. Thanks to our terrific Employees, we have been a mainstay on the list since 2009. I’m honored to share we are ranked #23.   To earn a spot on this acclaimed list, Southwest was measured on nine key attributes, from the soundness of our financial position to our quality of products and services to our community responsibility. FORTUNE® collaborated with partner Korn Ferry to survey 15,000 senior executives, outside directors, and industry analysts to identify the companies that enjoy the strongest reputations within their industries and across industries.   We take pride in working for this great Company, which is why it’s so difficult to have let you and our Employees down at the end of last year. We will address the challenges we experienced at the end of last year. I don’t want to miss an opportunity to recognize our 60,000 Employees and the many ways they contribute to our status as a World’s Most Admired Companies. They deserve to celebrate!       ... View more

Dear Valued Rapid Rewards® Members,   During the week between Christmas and New Year's Day, our Customers and Employees–including some of you–endured operational issues that greatly disrupted holiday and end-of-year plans. We want you to know that we are making every effort to prevent that from happening again.   Emerging from some of the most challenging days in our Company's history, we are highly focused on our Customers, our recovery, and our plan going forward. Our immediate task has been to stabilize our operation, and we are pleased to report that since the disruptions, we've operated our expected flight schedule with the Southwest® Reliability that we've upheld for 51 years.   Taking Care of Customers: We've worked with great urgency to take care of the Customers directly impacted by the disruption by returning their bags, processing refunds and expense reimbursements, and offering those most significantly impacted 25,000 Rapid Rewards points as a gesture of goodwill for their inconvenience. As of the end of last week, we have returned virtually all of the bags we had on hand from the event, have processed nearly all refunds, and are processing tens of thousands of reimbursement requests a day.   Immediate Actions: Following the disruption, we moved swiftly to put mitigation elements in place to further reduce the risk of future operational disruptions that could impede Customer travel plans. Some of those efforts already in progress include:   Establishing supplemental operational staffing that can quickly mobilize to support Crew recovery efforts Enhancing our Crew engagement technology to efficiently communicate with large numbers of Crew Members during frequent schedule changes Updating and upgrading our Crew recovery system to not only solve current and future schedules, but also provide the ability to optimize established schedules as we revise them during irregular operations   Going Forward: While we have mitigated risks in the short-term, we are taking additional steps to review the events and make thoughtful recommendations on future actions.   We've engaged a third-party global aviation consulting firm, Oliver Wyman, to complete an assessment of the event and make recommendations of additional mitigation elements for us to consider. Our Board of Directors appointed an Operations Review Committee that is working with management to understand the events and help oversee the Company's response. We commit to keep you updated as we make progress on these efforts as well as additional steps to prevent an event like this from happening again.   Southwest has a long history of innovation and continuous improvement. We are currently budgeted to spend more than $1 billion of our annual operating plan on investments, upgrades, and maintenance of our IT systems. The recent disruption will accelerate our plans to enhance our processes and technology as we continue to focus on adding capabilities to bring rapid improvements for you, our valued Customers.   We fell short of your expectations and the high standards we have of ourselves, and for that we are deeply sorry. It is our steadfast commitment to make the necessary changes to address the issues we faced and to regain your trust and confidence. We will continue down our path of providing you the exceptional service you expect and deserve from us. It's a passionate and personal pursuit for our entire Southwest Family, and we look forward to welcoming you onboard one of our flights very soon with the Heart and Hospitality we've been famous for delivering for 51-plus years.   With appreciation,         Bob Jordan President & Chief Executive Officer ... View more

One of the things I often hear from Southwest Employees is that when they tell people they work at Southwest Airlines, people often reply along the lines of, “Oh, I love Southwest!” or launch into a story about a memorable experience they’ve had traveling with us. That reaction from our Customers is something we all take tremendous pride in during the best of times, and we work so hard to earn back when we occasionally aren’t able to deliver … often, for reasons beyond our control.   We are proud of our hard-earned reputation, and we were thrilled to learn that Southwest has once again been named to the FORTUNE’s World’s Most Admired Companies list for 2022, ranking #28! Any time we receive an honor like this, we recognize that it’s all thanks to our People. Let me break it down for this recognition:   We’re measured on nine key attributes, from the soundness of our financial position to our quality of products and services to our community responsibility. Beyond the numbers, it’s these efforts that our Employees put their Heart into that make a difference. We’ve been featured on the list since 2009.   The past two years have been tough for everyone—both personally and professionally. We still have challenges we’re working to overcome as we recover. But there have also been triumphs, and I consider this to be among them.     ... View more

I hope 2022 ushers in a new year of promise and brings even more opportunities to gather with those you cherish most. All of us at Southwest Airlines thrive on making those moments happen—whether it’s reconnecting families, getting you to a much-needed vacation, or taking you to that important business meeting. We appreciate the time you share with us, and we are committed to showing you our Hospitality every step of the way.    For me, this is a season of gratitude and anticipation. After more than 30 years at Southwest, I have the privilege of stepping into the role of CEO on February 1. When I started at Southwest in 1988 as a programmer, I never dreamed this could be possible, but at Southwest Airlines, all things are possible. It’s an honor to serve you and our People; I’m humbled by the opportunity, ready for the job, and excited about what’s ahead for our great Company.   So much has changed during my more than three decades with Southwest—from plastic boarding passes to paper tickets to putting flight information in the palm of your hands. Across every chapter, our longstanding commitment to making your travel experience easier is steadfast. As technology continues to evolve, we’re dedicated to modernizing your Customer Experience without losing sight of what’s served us so well for the past 50 years: offering a low-cost, high-quality travel experience, when and where you want to fly; ensuring operational reliability; and delivering unique, unrivaled Hospitality.   And you’ll see our Heart everywhere you look, not just at 35,000 feet. We are dedicated to “doing well by doing good” through our commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the Customers we serve, and by developing tangible steps toward an environmental sustainability goal that achieves carbon neutrality by 2050. We champion causes that matter most, because we’re more than an airline; we’re your neighbors, and some of our most important work is done on the ground.   We celebrated the 50 th  Anniversary of our first flight last June, a bright moment in the midst of this pandemic for all of us to reflect on decades of delivering friendly, reliable, and affordable air travel to hundreds of millions of people. And as we enter a new year, each one of us is dedicated to taking care of you, helping you get to those you love most, and demonstrating courage, resilience, and above all, our Heart.   On behalf of our Southwest Family, thanks for entrusting and choosing us for your travel needs—in the past, in the present, and in the promising future ahead of us all. Hope to see you onboard very soon.   Warm wishes,     ... View more

The summer of 2020 was a season of learning for Southwest Airlines in many ways. It heightened our awareness of social injustice and initiated an increased focus on our own diversity and inclusion efforts—specifically how we can evolve. We identified that the first step to accomplishing these goals was to concentrate on key diversity areas such as diversifying Senior Leadership, improving diversity in hiring, mentorship and sponsorship, improving the retention and upward mobility of diverse talent, and training for Leaders and Employees. In the year since, we have taken tangible steps to build the required infrastructure, processes, and practices to meet these objectives.   Our Commitment In September 2020, Southwest Airlines set the following company goals to strengthen and improve our efforts in creating more diverse, equitable, and inclusive opportunities, candidate pipelines, and to champion an inclusive environment and experience for all Employees: Hiring & Development Practices: Evolving hiring and development practices to support diversity goals, including posting all open Leadership positions (Supervisor to Vice President). Senior Leadership Diversity: Measuring progress in increasing diversity in Senior Leadership. Senior Management Committee Diversity: Doubling the percentage of racial diversity and increasing gender diversity of our Senior Management Committee by 2025. Community Partners: Engaging a breadth of community partners to leverage the Company’s relationships as it sources diverse talent.   Joining us in this effort, Southwest Airlines’ Board of Directors committed to increase diverse representation of the Board by 2025.   Our Progress One year later, we are making steady progress to increase racial and gender diversity in Leadership. We recently announced the promotion of Juan Suarez from Managing Director, Deputy General Counsel in the Legal Department to Vice President Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. In this role, he will serve as the executive-level champion for organizational goals related to diversity, equity, and inclusion both internally and externally. We also formed an Executive Steering Committee to support the strategic direction of this progress.   Additional strides include evolving our talent acquisition processes by requiring diverse candidate slates and diverse interview panels for all Leadership roles (Supervisor to Vice President). We are currently working with over 188 Community partners in support of developing diverse and inclusive talent and recruiting efforts, and we have launched a formal Sponsorship and Mentorship Program. We also established a cross-functional working Team with members from various departments to support efforts such as establishing a Diversity Recruiting Center of Excellence (COE) and enhancements to our existing Supplier Diversity Program.   Southwest Airlines DEI Progress Update     Internally, we also launched a DEI Resource website, created an Allyship Guide, and launched the ability to create Employee-led groups. The purpose of these initiatives are to empower Employees to explore, educate, and further connect in the DEI space.   We recognize that our work is not done. Our goal is to cultivate a diverse and inclusive experience for all People to thrive (Employees, Customers, and Partners). We will continue to fuel this ongoing momentum as we strive for sustainable and systemic change through consistent progress.   Our Future In addition to continually evolving our initiatives, the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Team is building a five-year strategic plan. Our motivation is to be a healthy organization where Employees thrive, feel appreciated, feel valued, and have an authentic sense of belonging. Our goal is to provide regular progress updates on our commitments, share our plan of action, and announce our long-standing DEI vision later this year. For more on DEI, check out Hispanic Heritage Month: Embracing My Culture and Heritage, Honoring Black History Month, An Employee’s Take on Asian Cuisine, Culture, and the Need for Unity, Taking PRIDE in our Diverse Suppliers, Join us! Southwest Named “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion”, and Southwest Airlines Announces Commitment to Increase Diversity in Leadership. ... View more

Giving back is at the Heart of Southwest Airlines and I am excited to share with you all how Southwest is continuing to invest in and support communities around the globe. In September 2018, we announced the launch of a $1 million charitable grant program.   Our grant received more than 300 applications from organizations across the country.  From that competitive pool, we selected 24 innovative nonprofit organizations to receive grant funding. Amounts ranged from $25,000-$50,000. Recipients of this grant are nonprofit organizations dedicated to causes important to Southwest and our communities: K-12 STEM education, building a resilient workforce, and leadership development.   The focus of this grant was to help empower organizations that develop the workforce of tomorrow. Supporting these types of organizations builds stronger communities, and addresses a real business need—ensuring we have a strong Employee pipeline in the years to come.   We are thrilled to support the efforts of these extraordinary organizations and will continue to champion communities across the globe the Southwest Way!     STEM Education Sci Tech Institute, Phoenix, Arizona Louis Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia Children First Fund- The Chicago Public Schools Foundation, Chicago, Illinois Greater Milwaukee Committee for Community Development, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, Dallas, Texas YMCA of Greater Houston, Houston, Texas Code Nation, New York, New York.   Workforce Development Sword to Plowshares Veterans Rights Organization, San Francisco, California Career Learning & Employment Center for Vets with Disabilities, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana Connections to Success, Kansas City, Missouri Women’s Bean Project, Denver, Colorado Café Momentum, Dallas, Texas Hallmark University Inc., San Antonio, Texas YouthForce NOLA, New Orleans, Louisiana Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia   Leadership Development Hispanics in Philanthropy, Oakland, California The Women’s Foundation of California, Oakland, California East Oakland Youth Development Center, Oakland, California San Diego MANA, San Diego, California Ocean Discovery Institute, San Diego, California Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment, Burbank, California Arnold Air Society - Silver Wings, Tampa, Florida National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders, San Antonio, Texas ... View more

At Southwest Airlines, we’re focused on connecting People and championing community. We have a long history of giving back, which is evident in our dedication to the places where our Customers live and work.   To continue this commitment, I’m excited to share the launch of a $1 million charitable grant program to support innovative nonprofit organizations across the United States. This exciting grant will provide us the opportunity to further invest in the careers and workforces of tomorrow!     Between now and October 22, 2018, eligible 501(c)(3) organizations and K-12 schools that are aviation focused are welcome to apply for a grant of up to $50,000 by visiting swa.is/grant. Specifically, Southwest Airlines is seeking to invest in three targeted areas that will play strategic roles in setting future generations up for success.   K-12 STEM Education (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) Building a resilient workforce Leadership development   We are thrilled at the opportunity to empower our communities to thrive and hope you consider sharing the grant information with qualified organizations you are passionate about. Additionally, on Tuesday, September 25 at 11:00 a.m. CT we will be hosting a webinar to go over the application process and requirements. All are welcome to attend and you can join the webinar on the 25th by clicking here.   Whether in the air or on the ground, we believe community is more than a place; it’s at the Heart of what brings us together and we look forward to developing the workforce of tomorrow through this grant!   The grant funds will be awarded to nonprofits that are selected through the competitive grant application and review process from the Southwest Airlines Foundation, a corporate advised fund of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation®. Recipients will be announced by the end of January 2019.   ... View more